Aerosol-generating system

ABSTRACT

A handheld aerosol-generating device may include an emitter configured to emit light, a sensor configured to receive light, and an aerosol chamber configured to hold an aerosol. The emitter may emit light into the aerosol chamber. The sensor may receive light from the aerosol chamber and measure at least one wavelength of the spectrum of the received light. Direct measurement of parameters, and/or the presence, of the aerosol in the aerosol chamber may be enabled, where the direct measurement of parameters of the aerosol in the aerosol chamber may enable optimal operation of an aerosol-generating system that may be the handheld aerosol-generating device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,international application no. PCT/EP2017/069565, filed on Aug. 2, 2017,and further claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to European PatentApplication No. 16188321.0, filed on Sep. 12, 2016, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

Example embodiments relate to aerosol-generating systems comprising anemitter of electromagnetic radiation and a receiver for receivingelectromagnetic radiation, and an aerosol chamber holding (“containing,”“including,” etc.) an aerosol to be analyzed.

Description of Related Art

Handheld electrically operated aerosol-generating systems may include adevice portion comprising a battery and control electronics and aseparate cartridge comprising a supply of liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate held in a liquid storage portion and an electrically operatedvaporizer or heater element. The quality of the generated aerosol maydiffer from device to device. Also, the quality of the generated aerosolmay depend upon the liquid aerosol-forming substrate included in theaerosol-generating systems, since different liquid aerosol-formingsubstrates with, for example, different flavor constituents can be used.Furthermore, the performance of an aerosol-generating system may changeover time. The quality of the aerosol generated by an aerosol-generatingsystem may also depend upon an intensity of a draw of the generatedaerosol out of the aerosol-generating system, a duration of a draw ofthe generated aerosol out of the aerosol-generating system, if it is thefirst, second, etc. draw, or if the aerosol-generating system is cleanor dirty. In some aerosol-generating systems, such as disclosed in EP 2493 342, the only feedback the system obtains is the impedance of theheater element. However, the quality of the generated aerosol is notdirectly measured. Also, the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrateleft in the liquid storage portion is not directly measured.

It is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating system which directlymeasures the quality of the generated aerosol. Also, it is desirable toprovide an aerosol-generating system which directly measures the amountof liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in a liquid storage portion.

SUMMARY

According to some example embodiments, a handheld aerosol-generatingdevice may include an aerosol chamber configured to hold an aerosol, anemitter configured to emit light into the aerosol chamber, and a sensorconfigured to receive light from the aerosol chamber and measure atleast one wavelength of a spectrum of the received light.

The emitter may be configured to emit light having wavelengths between200 nanometers and 30 micrometers, and the sensor may be configured toreceive light having wavelengths between 200 nanometers and 30micrometers.

The handheld aerosol-generating device may include at least two emittersand at least two sensors, the at least two emitters including a firstemitter configured to emit light having a first wavelength and a secondemitter configured to emit light having a second wavelength, the firstwavelength different from the second wavelength.

The first emitter may be configured to emit light having a wavelength ofabout 3.0 micrometers.

The second emitter may be configured to emit light having a wavelengthof about 6.3 micrometers.

At least one of the emitter and the sensor may be configured to beisolated from the aerosol in the aerosol chamber.

The at least two sensors may include a first sensor that is configuredto receive light having the first wavelength and a second sensorconfigured to receive light having the second wavelength.

The aerosol chamber may include an at least partially transparenthousing.

At least one of the emitter and the sensor may be one of amicroelectromechanical system, an opto-semiconductor, a compoundsemiconductor, and a hybrid electronic device.

The handheld aerosol-generating device may include more than twoemitters; and more than two sensors. The more than two emitters may bearranged in a semicircular matrix of emitters, and the more than twosensors may be arranged in a semicircular matrix of sensors. Each row ofthe semicircular matrix of emitters may include a plurality of emitters,and different rows of emitters of the semicircular matrix of emittersmay be configured to emit light having different wavelengths. Each rowof the semicircular matrix of sensors may include sensors configured toreceive light of a wavelength corresponding to the wavelength emitted bya corresponding row of emitters of the semicircular matrix of emitters.

The emitter may be configured to emit light having a wavelength between2.8 micrometers and 3.2 micrometers.

The emitter may be configured to emit light having a wavelength between6.0 micrometers and 6.6 micrometers.

The emitter may be a multiple narrow-band emitter. The sensor may be amultiple narrow-band sensor.

The sensor may be configured to detect at least one of CO2, Water,benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, nicotine and carboxylic acid.

According to some example embodiments, a method for manufacturing ahandheld aerosol-generating device may include providing a housingenclosing a power supply and electric circuitry configured to controlthe power supply, providing an emitter configured to emit light, theemitter connected to the electric circuitry, providing a sensorconfigured to receive light, the sensor connected to the electriccircuitry, and providing an aerosol chamber configured to hold anaerosol. The emitter may be further configured to emit light into theaerosol chamber, and the sensor may be further configured to receivelight from the aerosol chamber and measure at least one wavelength of aspectrum of the received light.

The emitter may be configured to emit light having wavelengths between200 nanometers and 30 micrometers, and the sensor may be configured toreceive light having wavelengths between 200 nanometers and 30micrometers.

The emitter may include at least two emitters and at least two sensors.The at least two emitters may include a first emitter configured to emitlight having a first wavelength and a second emitter configured to emitlight having a second wavelength, the first wavelength different fromthe second wavelength.

At least one of the emitter and the sensor may be configured to beisolated from the aerosol in the aerosol chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrative views of a handheld aerosolgenerating-device that includes an schematic emitter and a schematicsensor according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of a matrix of emitters and sensorsaccording to some example embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of a matrix of emitters and sensorssurrounding an aerosol chamber of an aerosol-generating system accordingto some example embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a sensor according to some exampleembodiments;

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative view in which the emitters are provided asa layer around the aerosol chamber, according to some exampleembodiments;

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative view of a sensor, according to some exampleembodiments, which comprises multiple sensor-layers;

FIG. 7 is an IR spectroscopy from the Wikipedia Article “Infraredspectroscopy”; and

FIG. 8 shows a process a process (“method”) for manufacturing anaerosol-generating system according to some example embodiments; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a handheld aerosol-generatingsystem in accordance with some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will become more readily understood by reference tothe following detailed description of the accompanying drawings. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as being limited to the example embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete. Like reference numerals referto like elements throughout the specification.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and/orelements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or groupsthereof.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers and/orsections, these elements, regions, layers and/or sections should not belimited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section.Thus, a first element, region, layer or section discussed below could betermed a second element, region, layer or section without departing fromthe teachings set forth herein.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”,“upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in operation in addition to the orientationdepicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures isturned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elementsor features would then be oriented “above” the other elements orfeatures. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Some example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variationsfrom the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, ofmanufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus,these example embodiments should not be construed as limited to theparticular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Forexample, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically,have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implantconcentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted tonon-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantationmay result in some implantation in the region between the buried regionand the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, theregions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of adevice and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and this specification and will not beinterpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly sodefined herein.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from thediscussion, terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating”or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical, electronicquantities within the computer system's registers and memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thecomputer system memories or registers or other such information storage,transmission or display devices.

As disclosed herein, the term “storage medium”, “computer readablestorage medium” or “non-transitory computer readable storage medium,”may represent one or more devices for storing data, including read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory,magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memorydevices and/or other tangible machine readable mediums for storinginformation. The term “computer-readable medium” may include, but is notlimited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices,and various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carryinginstruction(s) and/or data.

Furthermore, at least some portions of example embodiments may beimplemented by hard ware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hard ware description languages, or any combination thereof. Whenimplemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the programcode or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in amachine or computer readable medium such as a computer readable storagemedium. When implemented in software, processor(s), processingcircuit(s), or processing unit(s) may be programmed to perform thenecessary tasks, thereby being transformed into special purposeprocessor(s) or computer(s).

When the terms “about” or “substantially” are used in this specificationin connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associatednumerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numericalvalue. The expression “up to” includes amounts of zero to the expressedupper limit and all values therebetween. When ranges are specified, therange includes all values therebetween such as increments of 0.1%.Moreover, when the words “generally” and “substantially” are used inconnection with geometric shapes, it is intended that precision of thegeometric shape is not required but that latitude for the shape iswithin the scope of the disclosure.

According to some example embodiments there is provided anaerosol-generating system comprising an emitter. The emitter isconfigured to emit light. The aerosol-generating system furthercomprises a sensor, which is configured to receive light. Also, theaerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol chamber, configured tocomprise (“include,” “hold,” “contain,” etc.) an aerosol. The emitter isconfigured to emit light into the aerosol chamber. The sensor isconfigured to receive light from the aerosol chamber and measure atleast one wavelength of the spectrum of the received light.

The aerosol generating system may comprise a handheld aerosol-generatingdevice. The handheld aerosol-generating device may be configured togenerate an aerosol for an adult viper. The handheld aerosol-generatingdevice may comprise a mouthpiece (“outlet end”) through which aerosolgenerated by the device may be drawn out of the device. Theaerosol-generating system may be a battery operated device. Theaerosol-generating system may comprise a housing holding a battery andthe emitter and the sensor. The device may be a portable device that iscomfortable to hold between the fingers of a single hand. The device maybe substantially cylindrical in shape and have a length of between 70 mmand 200 mm. The maximum diameter of the device may be between 10 mm and30 mm.

The inventive aerosol-generating system may enable direct measurement ofparameters, and/or the presence, of the aerosol in the aerosol chamber.This direct measurement of parameters of the aerosol in the aerosolchamber may enable optimal operation of the aerosol-generating system.The aerosol chamber may be a passage or path within theaerosol-generating system, through which aerosol-forming substrate invaporized form flows. The aerosol chamber may also be a generatingchamber, in which the liquid aerosol-forming substrate is vaporized andan aerosol is formed. Generally, the aerosol chamber may be an open orclosed chamber in which vaporized aerosol-forming substrate or anaerosol is present.

The aerosol in the aerosol chamber may be a vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate. The vaporized aerosol-forming substrate may comprise multiplevapor components. The vaporized aerosol-forming substrate is provided toform an aerosol. During vaporization of a liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate, unwanted products may form. The formation of unwantedproducts should be prevented by the heating regime which results in thevaporized aerosol-forming substrate. However, as outlined above, thevaporization of a liquid aerosol-forming substrate depends on multiplefactors such as the type of the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, thenumber (“quantity”) of heating processes, etc. The aerosol-generatingsystem according to some example embodiments now provides a possibilityto measure the type and the amount of at least one of the elements ofthe vaporized aerosol-forming substrate directly.

The measurement may comprise the determination of at least one component(“element”) of the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. In this regard,the spectrum of the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate is analyzed. Thespectrum or electromagnetic spectrum of the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate characterizes the elements of the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate by a characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiationabsorbed by the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate.

In more detail, every element of the vaporized aerosol-forming substrateis able to absorb electromagnetic waves with certain frequencies orwavelengths. In some example embodiments, Infrared- or IR-spectroscopymay be used. If light is directed on these elements, they will absorbcertain wavelengths of the light. Thus, every element of the vaporizedaerosol-forming substrate has (“is associated with”) a characteristicspectroscopic distribution or spectrum which can be observed. In theobserved spectrum, certain peaks can be observed which correspond toabsorbed light with certain frequencies. Typically, every elementabsorbs light with different wavelength, thus every element showsmultiple absorption peaks in the spectrum. The wavelength and theamplitude of these absorption peaks are indicative of the component.Thus, the reliability of the measurement may be enhanced by measuringmultiple absorption peaks and/or the amplitude of the peaks. Theobservation may include the utilization of an emitter, configured toemit electromagnetic waves and a sensor, configured to receiveelectromagnetic waves. In the following, the general term“electromagnetic waves” is denoted by the more specific term “light”. Itshould, however, be noted that no wavelengths are excluded by the term“light”. The emitter may be configured to emit light with wavelengthsbetween 200 nanometers and 30 micrometers and the receiver may beconfigured to receive light with wavelengths between 200 nanometers and30 micrometers. Within this wavelength spectrum, unwanted products maybe determined in aerosol-forming substrate such as e-liquid fore-cigarettes (“e-vaping devices”).

The emitter emits light in the direction of the aerosol, for example thevaporized aerosol-forming substrate, and the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate absorbs certain wavelengths of the light according to theelements present in the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. In otherwords, depending upon the elements present in the vaporizedaerosol-forming substrate, certain wavelengths of the light, which isemitted by the emitter, is at least partially absorbed by the vaporizedaerosol-forming substrate, while other wavelengths may pass through thevaporized aerosol-forming substrate. Thus, a characteristic distributionof electromagnetic radiation passes through the vaporizedaerosol-forming substrate, characterizing the specific composition ofthe vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. This characteristicdistribution contains the information about the specific elements of thevaporized aerosol-forming substrate as well as the amount of theseelements in the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate.

The sensor is configured to receive this characteristic distribution,which passes through the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. In thisregard, the sensor may be configured to receive only a single wavelengthof this spectrum. In this case, the sensor is provided to detect asingle absorption band and thus a single element within the vaporizedaerosol-forming substrate. In more detail, a specific component, whichis to be detected by the sensor, may absorb a specific wavelength. Theemitter may be configured to emit light with this wavelength and thesensor may be configured to receive light with this wavelength. When thesensor receives light with this specific wavelength, the sensor detectsthat the element is not present in the aerosol chamber. If the sensorreceives no light or light with an intensity which is below a particular(or alternatively, predetermined) threshold, the sensor detects that theelement is present in the aerosol chamber. This can be utilized todetect an unwanted product in the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate.Thus, the sensor detects that a specific unwanted product is present inthe vaporized aerosol-forming substrate if the sensor does not detectthe wavelength, which is emitted by the emitter or detects only a lowamount of the light, which is emitted by the emitter.

The emitter may be configured to emit light with multiple wavelengthsand the sensor may be configured to receive this light. Theemitter/sensor may be configured as a wide bandgap emitter/sensor suchas a wide bandgap microelectromechanical system emitter/sensor. Thus,the electromagnetic spectrum of the aerosol-generating substrate can beobserved with the wide bandgap emitter and sensor. In this way, thepresence of different elements within the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate can be determined at the same time. Also, the reliability ofthe detection of a single element may be enhanced, since multipleabsorption bands related to a single element may be detected.

Also, multiple emitters and sensors which may emit/detect differentlight with a single wavelength each may be provided. This multitude ofemitters and sensors may be provided to increase the reliability of themeasurement. In more detail, two emitters may be provided which emitlight with different wavelengths. Corresponding two sensors may beprovided, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect the lightwhich is emitted by the first emitter and the second sensor isconfigured to detect the light which is emitted by the second emitter.Since a specific element in the aerosol, which is to be detected, mayabsorb multiple different wavelengths, the detection of this element isincreased if the two emitter/sensor-pairs are configured to emit/detectcorresponding absorption bands. Alternatively or additionally, multipleemitter/sensor-pairs may be provided to detect multiple components. Inmore detail, a single emitter/sensor-pair may in this case be configuredas a single narrow-band emitter/sensor. Thus, a specific component, i.e.the presence of specific molecules, of the aerosol-generating substratemay be observed with the single narrow-band emitter and sensor. Everysingle emitter/sensor-pair may be provided to detect a different elementof the vaporized aerosol-generating substrate. Also, multipleemitter/sensor-pairs may be provided to reliably detect a specificelement of the vaporized aerosol-generating substrate by measuringdistinct absorption bands, and further emitter/sensor-pairs may beprovided to detect further elements of the vaporized aerosol-generatingsubstrate.

The emitter may be configured as a tunable single narrow-band emitter.This type of emitter is configured adjustable to emit light withdifferent wavelengths. The sensor may be accordingly configured as atunable single narrow-band sensor, configured to receive light withdifferent wavelengths. By providing a tunable single narrow-band emitterand sensor, different elements within the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate can be determined one after another.

Also, a multiple narrow-band emitter and sensor may be provided. Themultiple narrow-band emitter is configured to emit light with differentessentially distinct wavelengths. The sensor is accordingly configuredto receive light with different essentially distinct wavelengths. Thus,the presence of different elements within the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate can be determined at the same time with high accuracy.

By directly determining the elements of the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate, the operation of the aerosol-generating system may beoptimized. For example, if an unwanted product is detected in thevaporized aerosol-forming substrate, the temperature of a heater elementmay be lowered or the heater element may be deactivated. In this regard,the sensor as well as the emitter may be connected with controlcircuitry (“electric circuitry”), wherein the control circuitry isfurther configured to control the flow of electric energy from a powersupply to the heater element. Additionally or alternatively, a warningsignal may be generated by the control circuitry upon the detection ofunwanted products in the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate.

The emitter and the sensor may be arranged isolated from the aerosol. Inmore detail, the emitter as well as the sensor may be arranged outsideof the aerosol chamber or the liquid storage portion, respectively. Byarranging the emitter and the sensor isolated from the aerosol, acontamination of the sensor and the emitter may be prevented. Thus, thequality of the measurement is constantly high even if multiplemeasurements are obtained and even if multiple replaceable aerosolchambers are used.

When the aerosol chamber is provided as part of a liquid storageportion, the liquid storage portion may be provided replaceable. If theliquid aerosol-forming substrate in the liquid storage portion isdepleted, the liquid storage portion is detached from theaerosol-generating system and a new liquid storage portion is attachedto the aerosol-generating system. The emitter as well as the sensor maybe provided as part of the aerosol-generating system, such that no newemitter or sensor must be provided when a new liquid storage portion isprovided.

To facilitate that the emitter and the sensor may be provided isolatedfrom the aerosol chamber, the aerosol chamber may have an at leastpartially transparent housing. By providing an at least partiallytransparent housing of the aerosol chamber, light, which is emitted bythe emitter, may pass into the aerosol chamber and exit the aerosolchamber in the direction of the sensor. The partially transparenthousing is arranged between the inner of the aerosol chamber and theemitter and sensor.

The sensor as well as the emitter may be provided as amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS) or opto-semiconductor or compoundsemiconductor or hybrid electronic device. MEMS are very small deviceswith a typical size between 20 micrometers to a millimeter. Recentdevelopments have led to middle and far infra-red MEMS emitters, coupledwith the appropriate detectors. See for example “a MEMS based thermalinfra-red emitter for an integrated NDIR spectrometer”, published inMicrosystem. Technologies 18.7-8 (2012): 1147-1154, which isincorporated herein in its entirety. Generally, any suitable emitter andcorresponding sensor may be used as long as the sensor and thecorresponding emitter are sufficiently small to be employed in theaerosol-generating system. Also, the emitter and the sensor must be ableto emit (emitter) and receive (sensor) light with wavelength between 200nanometer and 30 micrometer in order to examine the aerosol in theaerosol chamber. The emitter or the sensor may have a diameter of 0.5 to5 millimeter or 1 to 3.5 millimeter or around 2 millimeter. The sensormay comprise at least two sensor-layers, which are each configured toreceive light with a certain wavelength. Further, the sensor-layers maybe configured to be transparent with respect to light with a certainwavelength. In this way, a single sensor may detect multiple wavelengthsand thus examine multiple elements of the vaporized aerosol-formingsubstrate.

The emitter may be configured to emit light with a wavelength of between2.8 micrometer and 3.2 micrometer, around 3.0 micrometer and/or ofbetween 6.0 micrometer and 6.6 micrometer, and around 6.3 micrometer. Bydetecting these wavelengths, the presence of water may be determined inthe vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. Alternatively or additionally,the emitter may be configured to emit light with a wavelength of between5.9 micrometer and 6.1 micrometer or around 5.9 micrometer and/or ofbetween 3.3 micrometer and 4.0 micrometer, and/or around 3.7 micrometer.By detecting these wavelengths, the presence of carboxylic acid may bedetermined in the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. Carboxylic acidis an undesired product and may be generated, when the heater elementgets too hot. The sensor may be configured to receive the respectivewavelengths. Similar spectrums, which are well-known by the personskilled in the art, may be detected and determined with respect todifferent elements in the vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. Forexample, 1,3-butadiene may be detected. This element is, like carboxylicacid, a representative element which is an undesirable product withinthe vaporized aerosol-forming substrate. Other elements which can bedetected in the above described way are benzene, formaldehyde andnicotine. The respective wavelengths for benzene are around 2.5micrometer, 3.3 micrometer and 5.7 micrometer. By determining thepresence of these components, the quality of the aerosol in the aerosolchamber may be determined. In some example embodiments, multiplewavelengths are measured for each element to increase the reliability ofthe detection. The sensor may be configured to detect at least one ofcarbon dioxide (CO2), water, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde,nicotine and carboxylic acid.

Multiple emitters may be provided and arranged in a matrix. The matrixof emitters may be arranged around the aerosol chamber such thatessentially half of the surface of the aerosol chamber is covered withthe matrix of emitters. The other half of the surface of the aerosolchamber may be covered with a matrix of respective sensors. Thus,3D-spectroscopy can be conducted in the aerosol chamber in the sensethat essentially the whole volume of the aerosol chamber may be subjectto the measurement as described above. Consequently, the quality of themeasurement, i.e. the accuracy of the measurement, may be improved. Inmore detail, the whole volume or essentially the whole volume of theaerosol chamber is irradiated with light from the emitters. This lighttravels through the whole volume of the aerosol chamber and issubsequently received by the matrix of sensors. Thus, the vaporizedaerosol-forming substrate in the aerosol chamber may be subject tomeasurement regardless of the orientation of the aerosol chamber. Insome example embodiments, it may be detected if undesired elements arepresent in specific areas of the aerosol chamber. The sensors may detectthat an undesired element is present in the aerosol chamber, if theconcentration of this undesired element exceeds a particular (or,alternatively, predefined) threshold in a specific area of the aerosolchamber.

Also, the matrix of emitters and the corresponding sensors may bearranged such that a first row of emitters of the matrix of emitters areconfigured to emit light with a specific wavelength and a correspondingfirst row of sensors in the matrix of sensors is configured to receivelight with this specific wavelength. In this regard, the first row ofemitters may be comprised of narrow-band emitters. A further second rowof emitters, which may be likewise narrow-band emitters, may similarlyemit light of a different specific wavelength. A corresponding secondrow of sensors are, similarly, configured to receive this light with adifferent specific wavelength. In this regard, the rows of sensors mayeach be comprised of narrow-band sensors. Thus, multiple elements of theaerosol may be measured at the same time by providing multiple emittersand multiple sensors, adapted to emit and receive light with differentspecific wavelengths. Also, the reliability of the measurement may beenhanced by observing different wavelengths of the spectrum of a singlecomponent. Advantageously, however, the used emitters and sensors may becheap emitters and sensors only adapted to emit (emitters) and receive(sensors) light with specific singular wavelengths.

Multiple emitters and multiple sensors may be arranged around theaerosol chamber, wherein the emitters and the sensors are not arrangedin a matrix, but emitter-sensor-pairs are formed able to emit and detectlight of a specific wavelength. In this way, multiple elements withinthe aerosol may be detected or the reliability of the measurement may beenhanced.

According to some example embodiments, a process (‘method”) formanufacturing an aerosol-generating system is provided, wherein theprocess comprises the following steps:

-   -   i) providing a housing, enclosing a power supply and electric        circuitry for controlling the power supply,    -   ii) providing an emitter, configured to emit light,    -   iii) providing a sensor, configured to receive light, and    -   iv) providing an aerosol chamber, configured to comprise an        aerosol,        wherein the emitter is further configured to emit light into the        aerosol chamber, and wherein the sensor is further configured to        receive light from the aerosol chamber and measure at least one        wavelength of the spectrum of the received light. The        aerosol-generating system may be a handheld aerosol-generating        device.

Features described in relation to one aspect may equally be applied toother aspects of some example embodiments.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a handheld aerosol-generating device 60 thatincludes an emitter 2 and a sensor 4. The emitter emits light 6 in thedirection of the sensor 4. The emitted light 6 is directed towards anaerosol chamber 8.

In the aerosol chamber 8, an element 10 of an aerosol-forming substrateis comprised. The element 10 is in FIGS. 1A and 1B depicted as avaporized element with multiple small particles. FIG. 1A shows theaerosol chamber 8 with a low amount of the element 10 in the aerosolchamber 8. The light, which is emitted by the emitter 2 and directedtowards the aerosol chamber 8 is thus only partly absorbed by theelement 10.

In more detail, the element 10 is able to at least partly absorb thelight which is emitted by the emitter 2. In this regard, the emitter 2emits light with a specific wavelength or specific wavelengths and theelement absorbs this light at least partly. Thus, depending on theamount of the element present in the aerosol chamber 8, more or lesslight passes through the aerosol chamber 8. In FIG. 1A, a relatively lowamount of the element 10 is present in the aerosol chamber 8. Thus, alarge amount of the light reaches the sensor 4. The sensor 4 thereforedetects that a low amount of the element 10, or no element 10, ispresent in the aerosol chamber 8. To increase the reliability of themeasurement, multiple wavelengths are emitted by the emitter 2 andreceived by the sensor 4 such that the absorption spectrum of theelement 10, and thus the element 10 itself, can be unambiguouslydetected.

Thus, an IR-absorption spectrum is measured by the sensor 4. AnIR-absorption spectrum according to some example embodiments is depictedin FIG. 7, which shows a sample of an IR spectrum for bromomethane(CH3Br) taken from the Wikipedia. Article “Infrared spectroscopy”. FIG.7 clearly shows absorption peaks around 3000, 1300, and 1000centimeter⁻¹ (on the horizontal axis) with different amplitudes. Similar1R-spectrums are created for each element in the aerosol, wherein thesespectrums superimpose to form a single spectrum for the aerosol.Multiple peaks and peak-amplitudes are measured by the sensor 4 in thisspectrum for the at least one element to be detected to reliably detectthe presence and the amount of this component.

In FIG. 1B, a relatively high amount of the element 10 is present in theaerosol chamber 8. Thus, a low amount of the light 6 reaches the sensor4. The sensor 4 therefore detects that a high amount of the element 10,or that the element 10, is present in the aerosol chamber 8.

The amount of the element 10 present in the aerosol chamber 8 isindicative of the amount of an undesired products in the vaporizedaerosol-forming substrate.

FIG. 2 shows some example embodiments of a handheld aerosol-generatingdevice 60 in which multiple emitters 2 and multiple sensors 4 areprovided (“located”) in respective arrays (“matrices”) 3 and 5. As shownin FIG. 2, a handheld aerosol-generating device 60 may include more thantwo emitters 2 and more than two sensors 4. The emitters 2 as well asthe sensors 4 are provided in a matrix. The emitters 2 are arrangedaround the aerosol chamber 8 as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the emitters 2are provided to emit light into the aerosol chamber 8. To enable that,the aerosol chamber 8 is at least partly transparent. By providingmultiple emitters 2 and arranging the emitters 2 in a matrix 3 aroundthe aerosol chamber 8, the whole interior of the aerosol chamber 8 canbe irradiated with the light of the emitters 2.

Consequently, a matrix 5 of sensors 4 is provided in some exampleembodiments such as shown in FIG. 2. The sensors 4 are also arrangedaround the aerosol chamber 8 such as shown in FIG. 4. The sensors 4 arearranged opposite the emitters 2 so that the light emitted by theemitters 2 is radiated into the aerosol chamber 8 and subsequentlyreceived by the sensors 4. If a high amount of a certain absorbingelement is present in the aerosol chamber 8, only a low amount of oreven no light passes through the aerosol chamber 8 to be detected by thesensors 4. Then, the sensors 4 detect that a high amount of theabsorbing element is present in the aerosol chamber 8. Thus, the qualityand amount of aerosol in the aerosol chamber 8 can be determined withhigh accuracy. In some example embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, theemitters 2 are configured to emit light with a specific wavelength andthe sensors 4 are configured to receive and detect light with the samespecific wavelength.

FIG. 3 shows some example embodiments in which multiple emitters 2 andmultiple sensors 4 are provided in respective matrixes 3 and 5. Incontrast to some example embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, the emitters 2are not configured to emit light of (“having”) the same specificwavelength. Rather, the emitters 2 in the matrix 3 as shown in FIG. 3are arranged in rows 2.1 to 2.6, wherein each row of emitters 2 consistsof emitters 2 which are configured to emit light of (“having”) the samespecific wavelength. A different row of emitters 2 consists of emitters2 which are configured to emit light of a different specific wavelength.Opposite of the emitters 2 are arranged sensors 4 of matrix 5 which areconfigured symmetrical in rows 4.1 to 4.6. That is, if a first row 2.1of emitters 2 of matrix 3 is configured to emit light with a specificfirst wavelength, the first row 4.1 of sensors 4 of matrix 5 isconfigured to receive and detect light with this first wavelength. Thesecond row 2.2 of emitters 2 and the second row 4.2 of sensors 4 areconfigured to emit receive light with a specific second wavelength.Different absorption bands are determined by the different rows ofemitters 2/sensors 4.

FIG. 4 shows the distribution of the emitters 2 and the sensors 4 inrespective matrices 3 and 5 around the aerosol chamber 8 according tosome example embodiments. The emitters 2 as well as the sensors 4 arearranged in the shape of a semicircle (e.g., a semicircular matrix)along the length of the aerosol chamber 8. The emitters 2 are arrangedsuch that they irradiate light 6 into the inner of the aerosol chamber8. The aerosol chamber 8 is provided transparent such that the light 6can enter the inner of the aerosol chamber 8. The emitters 2 areprovided as wide bandgap MEMS emitters with a diameter of around 2millimeter such that multiple emitters can be placed around the aerosolchamber 8. The sensors 4 provided as wide bandgap MEMS sensors arrangedaround the aerosol chamber 8 opposite of the emitters 2 in the shape ofa semicircle. The sensors 4 are configured and arranged such that light6 from the inner of the aerosol chamber 8 can be received by the sensors4.

FIG. 5 shows some example embodiments in which the emitters 2 areprovided in matrix 3 as a layer around the aerosol chamber 8. In someexample embodiments, the layer comprises a matrix 3 of multiple emitters2, which radiate light 6 into the inner of the aerosol chamber 8 asdescribed above. The sensors 4 or only the sensors 4 can be provided inmatrix 5 in a layer instead of distinct separated sensors 4 as depictedin FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows some example embodiments of a sensor 4 which comprisesmultiple sensor-layers 4.10, 4.12 and 4.14. The different sensor-layers4.10, 4.12, 4.14 are configured to receive light with a certainwavelength. Further, the sensor-layers 4.10, 4.12, 4.14 are configuredto be transparent with respect to light with a certain wavelength. Inmore detail, a first sensor-layer 4.10 is configured to receive lightwith a first wavelength 6.1 while being transparent to light with asecond wavelength 6.2 and a third wavelength 6.3. Behind the firstsensor-layer 4.10, a second sensor-layer 4.12 is arranged. The secondsensor-layer 4.12 is configured to receive light with the secondwavelength 6.2 while being transparent to light with the thirdwavelength 6.3. Behind the second sensor-layer 4.12, a thirdsensor-layer 4.14 is arranged. The third sensor-layer 4.14 is configuredto receive light with the third wavelength 6.3. In this way, the singlesensor 4 can detect multiple wavelengths and thus examine multipleabsorption spectra. In some example embodiments, the sensor 4 comprisesat least two sensor-layers.

FIG. 8 shows a process a process 800 (“method”) for manufacturing anaerosol-generating system according to some example embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 8, the process 800 may include steps (“operations”)S802-S808.

At S802, a housing is provided. The housing may enclose a power supplyand electric circuitry configured to control the power supply, asdescribed further above.

At S804, an emitter is provided. The emitter may be configured to emitlight as described further above. The emitter may be connected to theelectric circuitry.

At S806, a sensor is provided. The sensor may be configured to receivelight as described further above. The sensor may be connected to theelectric circuitry.

At S808, an aerosol chamber is provided. The aerosol chamber may beconfigured to comprise (e.g., “contain,” “hold,” etc.) an aerosol asdescribed further above.

The emitter provided at S804 may be configured to emit light into theaerosol chamber provided at S808, and the sensor provided at S806 may beconfigured to receive light from the aerosol chamber provided at S808and measure at least one wavelength of the spectrum of the receivedlight. The aerosol-generating system may be a handheldaerosol-generating device as described further above.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a handheld aerosol-generatingsystem in accordance with some example embodiments.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, theaerosol-generating system 900 may include a main unit 910 and acartridge 40. The main unit 910, also referred to herein as the “deviceportion,” may include a power supply 920, control circuitry 930, and asensor 940. The aerosol-generating system 900 may be the handheldaerosol-generating-device 60. The control circuitry 930 may be referredto as the aforementioned electric circuitry. The main unit 910 mayinclude a housing 911 that encloses at least the power supply 920 andthe electric circuitry (control circuitry 930) and may further enclosethe sensor 940. The sensor 940 may be separate from the aforementionedone or more sensors 4 that may be included in an array 5. The cartridge40 may include an outlet end, a supply of liquid aerosol-formingsubstrate held in a liquid storage portion, and an electrically operatedvaporizer or heater element. At least one of the cartridge 40 and themain unit 910 may include a matrix 3 of one or more emitters 2, a matrix5 of one or more sensors 4, and the aerosol chamber 8. For example, theaerosol chamber 8, matrix 3 of one or more emitters 2, and matrix 5 ofone or more sensors 4 may be included in the cartridge 40.

The example embodiments described above illustrate but are not limiting.In view of the above discussed example embodiments, other embodimentsconsistent with the above example embodiments will now be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A handheld aerosol-generating device,comprising: an aerosol chamber configured to hold an aerosol, theaerosol chamber having a cylindrical configuration with a circularcross-section; at least two emitters configured to emit light into theaerosol chamber and arranged in a first semicircular matrix on a firstsemicircular portion of the circular cross-section; and at least twosensors configured to receive light from the aerosol chamber and measureat least one wavelength of a spectrum of the received light, the atleast two sensors being arranged in a second semicircular matrix on asecond semicircular portion of the circular cross-section, wherein eachof the at least two emitters is disposed opposite one of the at leasttwo sensors.
 2. The handheld aerosol-generating device of claim 1,wherein each of the at least two emitters is configured to emit lighthaving wavelengths between 200 nanometers and 30 micrometers, andwherein each of the at least two sensors is configured to receive lighthaving wavelengths between 200 nanometers and 30 micrometers.
 3. Thehandheld aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the at least twoemitters include a first emitter configured to emit light having a firstwavelength and a second emitter configured to emit light having a secondwavelength, the first wavelength different from the second wavelength.4. The handheld aerosol-generating device of claim 3, wherein the firstemitter is configured to emit light having a wavelength of about 3.0micrometers.
 5. The handheld aerosol-generating device of claim 3,wherein the second emitter is configured to emit light having awavelength of about 6.3 micrometers.
 6. The handheld aerosol-generatingdevice of claim 3, wherein the at least two sensors includes a firstsensor that is configured to receive light having the first wavelengthand a second sensor configured to receive light having the secondwavelength.
 7. The handheld aerosol-generating device of claim 1,wherein one or both of the at least two emitters and the at least twosensors is configured to be isolated from the aerosol in the aerosolchamber.
 8. The handheld aerosol-generating device of claim 1, whereinthe aerosol chamber includes an at least partially transparent housing.9. The handheld aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein one orboth of the at least two emitters and the at least two sensors is one ofa microelectromechanical system, an opto-semiconductor, a compoundsemiconductor, and a hybrid electronic device.
 10. The handheldaerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the at least two emittersinclude more than two emitters; and the at least two sensors includemore than two sensors.
 11. The handheld aerosol-generating device ofclaim 1, wherein the first semicircular matrix includes rows ofemitters, the second semicircular matrix includes rows of sensors, eachrow of the first semicircular matrix of emitters includes the at leasttwo emitters, and different rows of emitters of the first semicircularmatrix of emitters are configured to emit light having differentwavelengths, and each row of the second semicircular matrix of sensorsincludes the at least two sensors configured to receive light of awavelength corresponding to the wavelength emitted by a correspondingrow of emitters of the first semicircular matrix of emitters.
 12. Thehandheld aerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein each of the atleast two emitters is configured to emit light having a wavelengthbetween 2.8 micrometers and 3.2 micrometers.
 13. The handheldaerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least twoemitters is configured to emit light having a wavelength between 6.0micrometers and 6.6 micrometers.
 14. The handheld aerosol-generatingdevice of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two emitters is amultiple narrow-band emitter, and/or each of the at least two sensors isa multiple narrow-band sensor.
 15. The handheld aerosol-generatingdevice of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors isconfigured to detect at least one of CO₂, Water, benzene, 1,3-butadiene,formaldehyde, nicotine and carboxylic acid.
 16. The handheldaerosol-generating device of claim 1, wherein the at least two sensorsare configured to measure the at least one wavelength of the spectrum ofthe received light to detect an amount of a light-absorbing element inthe aerosol in the aerosol chamber.
 17. A method for manufacturing ahandheld aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: providing ahousing, the housing enclosing a power supply and electric circuitryconfigured to control the power supply; providing at least two emitters,each of the at least two emitters being configured to emit light, eachof the at least two emitters being connected to the electric circuitry;providing at least two sensors, each of the at least two sensorsconfigured to receive light, each of the at least two sensors connectedto the electric circuitry; and providing an aerosol chamber, the aerosolchamber defining an interior space configured to hold an aerosol and theaerosol chamber having a cylindrical configuration with a circularcross-section, wherein each of the at least two emitters is furtherconfigured to emit light into the aerosol chamber, and wherein each ofthe at least two sensors is further configured to receive light from theaerosol chamber and measure at least one wavelength of a spectrum of thereceived light, the at least two emitters are arranged in a firstsemicircular matrix on a first semicircular portion of the circularcross-section, and the at least two sensors are arranged in a secondsemicircular matrix on a second semicircular portion of the circularcross-section, each of the at least two sensors being disposed oppositeone of the at least two emitters.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereineach of the at least two emitters is configured to emit light havingwavelengths between 200 nanometers and 30 micrometers, and wherein eachof the at least two sensors is configured to receive light havingwavelengths between 200 nanometers and 30 micrometers.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the at least two emitters include a first emitterconfigured to emit light having a first wavelength and a second emitterconfigured to emit light having a second wavelength, the firstwavelength different from the second wavelength.
 20. The method of claim17, wherein one or both of the at least two emitters and the at leasttwo sensors is configured to be isolated from the aerosol in the aerosolchamber.